Red Hot Chili Peppers will headline this year's Reading and Leeds Festival as the first acts for 2016 were announced.

The US rockers will make a return to the dual-site festival in August 2016, having topped the bill in 1994, 1999 and 2007.

The band - consisting of Anthony Kiedis, Flea, Chad Smith and Josh Klinghoffer - have not released new music since their 2011 album I'm With You, but Smith revealed the band are working on an eleventh studio album which is expected to be finished in May or June next year in time for their festival appearances.

They lead the first wave of names announced for the 2016 festival, which organiser Melvin Benn promised would be the "best year yet".

He said: "I'm thrilled to be able to announce Red Hot Chili Peppers as the first headliner for Reading & Leeds 2016, as a festival exclusive. Their incredible live show will be an unforgettable headline performance at the UK's biggest music festival.

"We've still got some really exciting names to announce and I can't wait to reveal the rest of the line-up."

Among the selection of names announced are The 1975, Mancunian band Courteeners, US duo Twenty One Pilots, Slaves, Spanish girl group Hinds and Rat Boy.

Also featuring in the eclectic line-up are Japanese rave-metal group Crossfaith, for their third year in a row, and garage music star DJ EZ.

Mercury Prize nominated act Slaves said: "It's always a pleasure to play at Reading and Leeds and it's an honour to be invited back to play again in 2016. The crowds have been good to us and we are always very grateful.

"The line-up is always a good one and we're looking forward to being part of it and taking things up another level this time."

The festival will take place on August 26 to 28 2016. Tickets are on sale now.